ORGANIC FARMING

ORGANIC FARMING

    The central government will support projects aimed at converting Kerala in to an organic farming state. Union Minister of  state for Agriculture K.V Thomas said the state had  been allocated Rs 700 crore under the Vidarbha package for drought-hit states. About half of the funds allocated to the state had remained unutilised. The union government had suggested that the un utilised funds could be used for  promoting organic agriculture projects. The centre would provide additional funds if, required.
    The plan is to introduce organic farming in the cashew plantations in kasaragod district. The programme will be extended to the entire district so as to convert kasaragod in to a fully organic district.
    The Minister said various states have started their own organic farming promotion programmes.Nine states had drafted policies for organic farming promotion. Among them, Sikkim,Mizoram and Uttarakhand have declared their intention to go 100 percent organic in due course of time.
    The Minister under lined the need for making use of advanced technologies in farming practices,post harvest handling,packaging and cold chain management. Though India's role in international market in food grains has been limited,it is a major player in spices and condiments.
    Organic agriculture has made reasonably good progress during the last few years. There is growing demand for organically grown food.

Prof. John Kurakar